Programs

The Heart of WYP

The Heart of WYP: A Community Zine Read Zine Now Dear WYP Community, At Wilderness Youth Project, we encourage gratitude in every facet of our work, whether it’s in a circle of kids on program or in our staff meetings. Giving thanks has become as natural to us as the rocky sandstone of the Santa …

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Covid-19 Protocols

COVID-19 Precautions and Protocols Ver en español WILDERNESS YOUTH PROJECT SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS – 2022/2023 Updated 9/8/22 Dear WYP Families, We are working to keep staff and participants on our program healthy and ready for adventuring. The most helpful thing we can all do is to stay home when we are not feeling well and …

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Building a Bridge to Nature

Building a Bridge to Nature A Hesitant Participant His first time coming to program, Mateo* stood stiffly and quietly beneath the blossom tree in front of the El Centro community center, a partner in WYP’s Bridge to Nature program. Sky blue eyes turned down to the leaf-covered grass, he looked like he wanted to be …

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Explore the Coast

Explore the Coast The Coastal Conservancy funds Bridge to Nature “California’s ocean, coast, and beaches are spaces of joy, relaxation, and healing. The ability to experience the coast without fear of financial cost, physical barriers or feelings of not belonging, is crucial to how people cultivate their own lifelong connections with the coast.” -The State …

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Green frog on a child's hand

Jason the Treefrog

Jason the Treefrog By: Julia Barerra, WYP Intern Every Tuesday, the Treefrogs come out to play in Santa Barbara. Not real tree frogs, but the WYP kind, inquisitive and rambunctious K-2nd graders ready to take on the American Riviera. Departing from the beautiful Rose Garden, they traverse the canyons, mountains, and beaches of Goleta, eager …

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Program Registration

Everything you ever wanted to know about how registration works at WYP

Register Now Schedules & Current Availability All about how program registration works Two values that inform our registration: All children need nature. And yet many kids lack access to the outdoors. That’s why WYP connects kids from all backgrounds to Santa Barbara’s natural beauty. Our goal is to mirror the demographics* of our service area …

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Top 10 Reasons We Love WYP in Winter

TOP 10 REASONS WHY WE LOVE WYP PROGRAMS IN WINTER 10. Our open spaces are the least crowded they are all year 9. Climbing trees that no longer have leaves and remembering what they look like during the rest of the year 8. The creeks start to run wild and we get to play in …

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From the Field: Let it Go / Desde el campo: Déjalo ir

From the Field: Let it Go / Desde el campo: Déjalo ir Ver en español Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing nature connection stories from the field! We asked our staff to share the stories that are currently on their minds and hearts. Today we are sharing a beautiful story from one …

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Notes From the Field: Condor Teens / Desde el campo: Los adolescentes Cóndor

From the Field: Condor Teens / Desde el campo: Los adolescentes Cóndor Ver en español You cannot trick teens with candy change their feelings or make them eat extra oatmeal.   you cannot convince them that this is not hard, grueling, sweaty, painful   you cannot make them walk faster be nice brush their teeth …

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Program Registration

Everything you ever wanted to know about how registration works at WYP

All about how program registration works Two values that inform our registration: All children need nature. And yet many kids lack access to the outdoors. That’s why WYP connects kids from all backgrounds to Santa Barbara’s natural beauty. Our goal is to mirror the demographics* of our service area from Goleta to Carpinteria. WYP believes …

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